Implant carrier with gripping fingers

ABSTRACT

A carrier, for a dental implant kit, for reliably and releasably holding the dental implant. The carrier incorporates a plurality of flexible fingers for engaging a screw of the dental implant kit in which the screw is threadably engaged with the implant. The fingers latch on to the screw by providing a mechanical lock in a groove of the screw. The fingers can further grip the screw by applying a generally radial compressive force on the screw. Advantageously, the resiliency and structure of the carrier fingers not only provides a reliable long-term grip on the screw, and hence the implant, but also permit the screw, and hence the implant, to be conveniently attached and detached from the carrier.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/227,069, filed Jan. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,008, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/092,674, filedJul. 13, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to dental implants and, inparticular, to a dental implant carrier with fingers for reliably andreleasably holding the dental implant assembly.

2. Background of the Related Art

In the 1930's, the first attempts to provide dental implants wereunpredictable partially because of the designs and materials that wereused, and partially because of poor technique. During the 1960's and1970's, the designs, materials and techniques utilized were radicallyaltered and predictably more acceptable results began to be achieved.Since then many further improvements have been made in this field thoughthere is still room for additional progress, advancement and refinement.

Dental implants are surgically implanted in a patient's jaw bone toprovide anchors for prosthetic devices such as crowns, bridges, denturesand the like. One modem and popular dental implant kit is packaged in aunit comprising a carrier, an insertion tool, an insertion tool screw,and an implant component or “implant”. Typically, the screw traverses acentral opening in the insertion tool and is threaded into a centralthreaded opening in the implant, thereby attaching the bottom end of theinsertion tool to the top of the implant. A carrier or handle engagesthe screw and/or insertion tool. The carrier is used to hold the dentalimplant within the package and during transport to a surgical site. Thedental implant package is usually sterilized and the carrier allows thedental implant to be transported with minimal risk of contamination dueto contact with the operator. The carrier also permits the implant to bepartially or fully inserted into a drilled hole or osteotomy in the jawbone of a patient. The carrier can then be pulled and/or loosened andremoved and, if needed, a wrench can be used to seat the implantsubgingivally into the bone.

There are several potential problems associated with conventional dentalimplant carriers. By way of example, a carrier 100 which is widely usedtoday, is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 1A shows a partiallysectional view of the carrier 100 engaged with a screw 102, and alsoshows an insertion tool 104. FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the carrier100.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, typically, the upper end of the screw 102has a groove 108 which is circumscribed by a small O-ring 106. TheO-ring 106 creates an interference type fit with the smooth inner bore110 of the carrier 100, thereby releasably securing the insertion toolscrew 102 to the carrier 100. Of course, the screw will be threadablyattached to an implant (not shown), so that the carrier 100 holds theentire dental implant assembly including the screw 102, the insertiontool 104 and the implant (not shown). Optionally, a healing screw (notshown) may also be included in the dental implant kit and typicallyresides in the upper part of the central bore of the carrier 100.

This gripping mechanism incorporated by the above-mentioned interferencefit between the O-ring and the carrier smooth bore can pose someproblems. The O-ring, particularly since it is substantially stretchedor “deformed”, may degrade and/or lose its resilience with time whichcan affect the quality of the above-mentioned interference fit andincreases the risk of the carrier losing its grip on the dental implant,thereby permitting the dental implant to slide out. This is conceivablebecause it is not uncommon for a dental implant kit to be transported bycommon carriers and be exposed to variations in temperature and tovibrations on-the-shelf or in storage for a period of several years. Itis especially detrimental and inconvenient if the dental implant slipsout of the carrier during a dental procedure.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a dental implant carrierwith a releasable gripping mechanism that can effectively and reliablygrip a dental implant over a substantially prolonged period of time.Subsequently, such an implant carrier may reliably be used in dentalprocedures without posing a risk to the well-being of a patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes some or all of the afore-mentioneddisadvantages by providing a carrier, for a dental implant kit orassembly, with a plurality of flexible fingers for reliably andreleasably retaining the dental implant, thereby, advantageously addingto the safety of the dental procedure.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the implantcarrier includes three flexible fingers. Preferably, the fingers aredisposed in a substantially central cavity of the carrier. Preferably,the top ends of the respective fingers are attached to the wall of thecarrier cavity such that the fingers are slightly spaced away from thecavity wall. The body portions of the respective fingers are generallycurved and extend downwards while the bottom ends of the respectivefingers bulge or project generally radially into the carrier cavity.

Preferably, the dental implant kit also includes a screw which residesat least partially in the carrier cavity. The screw preferably has agroove which is engaged by the bulging or projecting bottom ends of therespective fingers. The head of the screw is preferably substantiallyenveloped by the body portions of the respective fingers. Preferably,the screw traverses a substantially central cavity of an insertion toolof the dental implant kit and has a lower threaded portion whichthreadably engages the implant. The upper portion of the insertion toolis adapted to substantially irrotationally engage the lower end of thecarrier cavity by having a hex configuration. The insertion tool and theimplant are substantially irrotationally engaged with one another,

During assembly of the dental implant kit, the screw is inserted intothe carrier cavity and the carrier fingers initially flex generallyradially outwards as they engage the head of the screw, and are thenresiliently displaced generally radially inwards as the bulging bottomends of the respective fingers engage the groove of the screw.Advantageously and preferably, in the assembled state of the dentalimplant kit, the carrier fingers provide a redundant latching mechanismto capture the screw, and hence the implant since the screw isthreadably engaged with the implant, by mechanically locking into thescrew groove and by applying a generally radial compressive force togrip the screw. Advantageously and preferably, the fingers are unflexedor only slightly flexed in the assembled state of the dental implant kitsuch that the resilient displacement of the fingers is none or smallwhen the screw is gripped by the carrier fingers. Desirably, thiseliminates or minimizes the “deformation” or “pre-stressing” of thefingers in the assembled state and permits a substantially longon-the-shelf and storage life for the dental implant kit. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may bepracticed with the carrier fingers configured to apply less, more or noradial compressive force on the screw, as required or desired. Duringthe removal of the screw from the carrier, the fingers initially flexgenerally radially outwards as the bulging bottom ends of the respectivefingers slip out of the screw groove and engage the screw head until thescrew head is released from the fingers which are then resilientlydisplaced generally radially inwards to an unflexed position.

The utility of the present invention will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the detailed description and drawings whichfollow. Advantageously, the resiliency and structure of the carrierfingers not only provides a reliable long-term grip on the screw, andhence the implant, but also permit the screw, and hence the implant, tobe conveniently attached and detached from the carrier.

Other specific provisions and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a reading and study of the specification, claimsand figures. As will be realized by those skilled in the art theinvention is capable of modifications in various respects, all withoutdeparting from the scope and utility of the invention as disclosedherein. Accordingly the specification and figures should be regarded asillustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a partially sectional side view illustrating the engagementof a dental implant carrier with an insertion tool screw, as known inthe prior art;

FIG. 1B is a sectional view illustrating the carrier of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a dental implant kit including animplant carrier in accordance with one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side elevation view of the dental implant kit ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the implant carrier of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4B is a sectional perspective view of the implant carrier of FIG.2;

FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of the implant carrier of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the screw of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a partially sectional view illustrating the engagement of thecarrier and screw of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, onepreferred embodiment of a dental implant kit, assembly or combination 10constructed and assembled in accordance with the invention includes adental carrier 12, an insertion tool screw 14, an insertion tool 16 andan implant 18. Optionally, a healing screw 20 may also be included inthe dental implant kit 10. The carrier 12 reliably and releasably gripsthe screw 14 and serves as a handle for transporting the dental implantkit to a surgical site and facilitates insertion of the implant 18 intoa drilled hole or osteotomy in a jaw bone by serving as a driver. In onepreferred embodiment of the present invention the dental implant kit ofFIG. 2 is packaged in a sterile environment.

Preferably, and as best shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, the implantcarrier 12 comprises an anterior section 26, a medial section 28 and aposterior section 30. The anterior section 26 is preferably generallycylindrical in shape and has a substantially central cylindrical cavity64. The outer curved surface 32 of the anterior section 26 is preferablyridged, grooved or knurled to provide a convenient gripping surface.

Preferably, the medial section 28 of the carrier 12 (see, for example,FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C) is generally cylindrical in shape and has asubstantially central cylindrical cavity 66. The carrier anteriorsection cavity 64 and the carrier medial section cavity 66 arepreferably in communication with one another. In one preferredembodiment of the present invention, a healing screw 20 (see FIG. 3)resides in the cavities 64 and 66, and a layer of adhesive paper 22 (seeFIGS. 2 and 3) or the like is removably attached to the top of theanterior section 26. The paper layer 22 prevents the healing screw 20from falling out of the carrier 12. Optionally, the paper layer 22 mayinclude a tab 24 to facilitate its removal from the carrier 12.

Referring to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the internal wall 72 of the cavity 66 ofthe carrier medial section 28 is, preferably, disposed with a pluralityof fingers, such as the fingers 80 a, 80 b and 80 c. Preferably, thefingers 80 a, 80 b and 80 c are flexible, and hence resilientlydisplaceable relative to the internal wall 72 of the carrier medialsection 28. In one preferred embodiment, the carrier 12 includes thethree fingers 80 a, 80 b and 80 c, but as will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art, more or fewer fingers may beutilized with efficacy, as needed or desired. Preferably, the fingers 80a, 80 b, 80 c are arranged in a substantially symmetrical fashion andsubstantially equidistantly spaced from their respective neighboringfingers. Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the fingers 80 a,80 b, 80 c extend in a direction away from the carrier anterior section26.

Alternatively, the fingers may be configured to extend in the directiontowards the carrier anterior section 26.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 4B and 4C, preferably, each one of thefingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c has a respective top end 82 a, 82 b, 82 c,respective body portion 84 a, 84 b, 84 c, and respective bottom end 86a, 86 b, 86 c. Each of the finger top ends 82 a, 82 b, 82 c is attachedto the carrier internal wall 72, and is preferably curved to generallyfollow the curvature of the internal wall 72. In one preferredembodiment of the present invention, the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c aremolded into the carrier 12. Functionally, the finger top ends 82 a, 82b, 82 c serve the purpose of attaching the respective fingers 80 a, 80b, 80 c to the carrier internal wall 72 and of spacing the respectivedisplaceable body portions 84 a, 84 b, 84 c and bottom ends 86 a, 86 b,86 c of the respective fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c from the carrierinternal wall 72.

Preferably, the body portions 84 a, 84 b, 84 c of the respective fingers80 a, 80 b, 80 c extend in a direction away from the respective top ends82 a, 82 b, 82 c (FIGS. 4B, 4C). The finger body portions 84 a, 84 b, 84c are preferably spaced from the carrier internal wall 72 to createclearance space for the resilient displacement of the fingers 80 a, 80b, 80 c. Preferably, the finger body portions 84 a, 84 b, 84 c arecurved to generally follow the curvature of the carrier internal wall72.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 4B and 4C, preferably, the bottom ends86 a, 86 b, 86 c of the respective fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c bulge orproject generally radially inwards into the cavity 66 of the carriermedial section 28, and are generally thicker than the respective fingerbody portions 84 a, 84 b, 84 c. The finger bottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 care preferably spaced from the carrier internal wall 72 to createclearance space for the resilient displacement of the fingers 80 a, 80b, 80 c. Preferably, the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c, including the fingerbottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 c are curved to generally follow thecurvature of the carrier internal wall 72 to form a detent mechanism forrelative engagement. As will be discussed in more detail later herein,the bulging or projecting of the finger bottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 ccooperates with an annular or circumferential groove 42 formed on theinsertion tool screw 14 (FIG. 3) to lock the screw 14 into the carrier12.

Preferably, and referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, the posterior section30 of the carrier 12 includes an exterior lip 76, an upper substantiallycylindrical cavity 70, and an internal substantially hexed centralcavity 68. The outer part of the posterior section 30 below the lip 76is generally cylindrical in shape, and preferably has a slight taperextending in the direction away from the lip 76 below the cavity 70. Thelip 76 serves as a seat for an insert (not shown) which circumscribesthe carrier medial section 28 and permits the dental implant kit 10 (seeFIG. 2) to be packaged in a vial (not shown). Preferably, the carrierposterior section hexed cavity 68 and the carrier posterior sectioncylindrical cavity 70 are in communication and their junction defines astep 34. The carrier posterior section cavity 70 is in communicationwith the carrier medial section cavity 66. The hexed cavity 68 permitsthe carrier 12 to substantially irrotationally mate with the insertiontool (see FIGS. 2 and 3), as will be discussed later herein, thoughthose skilled in the art will readily comprehend that the cavity 68 maybe alternately shaped, as required or desired.

The insertion tool screw 14, shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 5,preferably, includes a head 36 with a substantially hexed socket 44, agroove 42, a body portion 38, and a lower threaded portion 40.Preferably, the top of the screw head 36 has a taper 46, in thedirection moving away from the screw body portion 38, which assists ininserting the screw head 36 within the carrier fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c(shown, for example, in FIGS. 4B and 4C). Preferably, the groove 42 ispositioned below and proximate to the screw head 36. The groove 42 ofthe screw 14 is preferably substantially circumferential and engages thebulging or projecting finger bottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 c (shown, forexample, in FIGS. 4B and 4C) when the dental implant kit 10 is in anassembled state, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The threaded portion 40 ofthe screw 14 threadably connects the screw 14 to the implant 18, asillustrated in FIG. 6.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that though the drawingsillustrate the bulging finger bottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 c to begenerally bulbous and the screw groove 42 to be generallycircumferential or annular, alternate configurations may be employedgiving due consideration to the goals of providing a reliable andreleasable mechanical lock for holding the implant 18. Of course, thegroove 42 may also be placed on any one of the components forming animplant assembly. For example, the groove 42 may be placed on theinsertion tool 16. The implant assembly, as illustrated in the drawingsincludes the insertion tool screw 14, the insertion tool 16, and theimplant 18, though it can include fewer or more components. Also, one ormore components may be combined, as desired, to form an integralassembly.

Preferably, and referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, theinsertion tool 16 has a substantially hexagonal upper portion 48 whichis dimensioned to form a substantially irrotational close tolerance fitin the substantially hexed cavity 68 of the carrier posterior section30. The insertion tool 16 also includes a substantially central cavity50 (see FIG. 6) which permits the insertion tool screw 14 to traversethrough the insertion tool and threadably mate with implant 18. Theinsertion tool cavity 50 includes at its lower end a substantiallyhexagonal socket 52 which allows substantially irrotational matingbetween the insertion tool 16 and the implant 18.

Preferably, and referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the implantincludes a substantially hexagonal post 54, a substantially centralthreaded cavity 62 and a threaded portion 56. The implant hexagonal post54 is located at the upper end of the implant 18 and mates with thehexagonal socket 52 of the insertion tool to provide a substantiallyirrotational engagement The implant threaded cavity 62 threadablyengages the threaded portion 40 of the insertion tool screw 14. Theimplant threaded portion 56 permits the implant to be threadablyinserted into an osteotomy in the jaw bone of a patient. The implant 18may further include a pair of cutting edges 58 having recesses 59 (onlyone of each is visible in FIGS. 2 and 3) with a through hole 60, whichare configured in a manner that is well known in the art.

The implant carrier 12, shown, for example, in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, ispreferably fabricated from a thermoplastic, though other suitableplastics, metals, alloys and ceramics may be utilized with efficacy,giving due consideration to the goals of providing flexible fingers anddurability. In one preferred form of the invention, the implant carrier12 is fabricated from a nylon such as ultramid B3WG5 nylon 6.Alternatively, the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c of the carrier 12 may befabricated from a material different than the rest of the carrier 12, asneeded or desired. Preferably, and referring, for example, to FIG. 3,the insertion tool screw 14, the insertion tool 16 and the implant 18are fabricated from pure titanium or titanium alloys, such as Ti-6Al-4V,which are compatible with bone, fixtures, tools, and the ultimateprosthesis, as well as being innocuous in use over time. Of course, theinsertion tool screw 14, the insertion tool 16 and the implant 18 may befabricated from other suitable metals, alloys and ceramics, as requiredor desired, giving due consideration to the goals of providingcompatibility, inertness, corrosion-resistance and durability.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C, preferably, theimplant carrier 12 has an overall length of about 13.0 mm (0.510 inches)and a maximum diameter of about 12.7 mm (0.500 inches). Preferably, thecarrier anterior section 26 has a maximum outer diameter of about 12.7mm (0.500 inches) and a length of about 3.86 mm (0.152 inches), and thecarrier anterior section cavity 64 has a maximum diameter of about 8.89mm (0.35 inches) and is about 2.79 mm (0.110 inches) deep. Preferably,the carrier medial section 28 has an outer diameter of about 6.60 mm(0.26 inches) and a length of about 4.83 mm (0.190 inches), and thecarrier medial section cavity 66 has a diameter of about 3.68 mm (0.145inches) and is about 4.83 mm (0.190 inches) deep. Preferably, thecarrier posterior section 30 has a maximum outer diameter of about 8.89mm (0.350 inches) and a minimum outer diameter of about 5.59 mm (0.220inches), due to the taper of about 5° below the lip 76, and an overalllength of about 4.27 mm (0.168 inches). The lip 76 of the carrierposterior section 30 is, preferably, about 1.27 mm (0.050 inches) longand has a maximum outer diameter of about 8.89 mm (0.350 inches).Preferably, the carrier posterior section cylindrical cavity 70 has adiameter of about 3.68 mm (0.145 inches) and is about 1.27 mm (0.050inches) deep. Preferably, the carrier posterior section hexed cavity 68is about 3.00 mm (0.118 inches) deep with each wall that creates thehexagonal shape being approximately 2.29 mm (0.09 inches) wide.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, preferably, the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80c are located about 3.00 mm (0.118 inches) deep in the carrier medialsection cavity 66, and have a length of about 2.87 mm (0.113 inches).The finger top ends 82 a, 82 b, 82 c are, preferably, about 0.889 mm(0.035 inches) long and have a maximum thickness of about 0.584 mm(0.023 inches). The finger body portions 84 a, 84 b, 84 c are,preferably, about 1.25 mm (0.049 inches) long and have a maximumthickness of about 0.330 mm (0.013 inches). The finger bottom ends 86 a,86 b, 86 c are, preferably, about 0.737 mm (0.029 inches) long and havea maximum thickness of about 0.559 mm (0.022 inches). The finger bodyportions 84 a, 84 b, 84 c and finger bottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 c arespaced from the carrier medial section wall 72 by a distance of about0.533 mm (0.021 inches). In the unflexed state, the finger top ends 82a, 82 b, 82 c and finger body portions 84 a, 84 b, 84 c generallyenvelop a generally cylindrical region with a diameter of about 2.49 mm(0.098 inches). In the unflexed state, the finger bottom ends 86 a, 86b, 86 c generally envelop a generally cylindrical region with a diameterof about 2.03 mm (0.080 inches), and extend about 0.229 mm (0.009inches) further into the medial section cavity 68 relative to the fingerbody portions 84 a, 84 b, 84 c. Preferably, when the fingers 80 a, 80 b,80 c are flexed, during engagement and disengagement with the insertiontool screw 14, they can provide an interference slip of up to about 15%.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, preferably, the insertiontool screw 14 is about 15.2 mm (0.600 inches) long. Preferably, thescrew head 36 has a maximum diameter of about 2.44 mm (0.096 inches),thereby permitting it to be captured in a substantially close tolerancefit between the generally cylindrical region of about 2.49 mm (0.098inches) diameter formed between finger top ends 82 a, 82 b, 82 c andfinger body portions 84 a, 84 b, 84 c, as can best be seen in FIG. 6.Preferably, the groove 42 of the screw 14 is recessed inwards by amaximum of 0.178 mm (0.007 inches), thereby having a maximum diameter ofabout 2.44 mm (0.096 inches) and a minimum diameter of about 2.08 mm(0.082 inches). Thus, when the bulging finger bottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86c, which form a generally cylindrical region of about 2.03 mm (0.080inches) diameter, engage the groove 42 in the assembled dental implantkit 10 (see FIG. 2), the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c will be slightlyflexed outwards by a distance of about 0.051 mm (0.002 inches). Thethreaded portion 40 of the screw 14 has a diameter of about 1.88 mm(0.074 inches) and a length of about 4.57 mm (0.180 inches). Theinsertion tool 16 and the implant 18 (see, for example FIGS. 3 and 6)are accordingly dimensioned so as to accommodate the carrier 12 andscrew 14, in the manner best illustrated by FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, thecarrier 12 of the dental implant kit 10 provides several benefits andadvantages over the prior art implant carrier (shown in FIGS. 1A and1B). Advantageously, the carrier fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c engage theinsertion tool screw 14 by a redundant latching mechanism which is acombination of providing a mechanical lock and applying a compressivegenerally radial force. The mechanical lock is provided by theengagement of the bulging or projecting bottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 c ofthe respective fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c with the groove 14 of theinsertion tool screw 14. The radial compressive force is provided due tothe outward flexing of the resilient fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c when thescrew 14 is captured in the carrier 12. Advantageously, the fingers 80a, 80 b, 80 c are only slightly flexed in the assembled state of thedental implant kit 10 since the resilient displacement of the fingers 80a, 80 b, 80 c is preferably only about 0.051 mm (0.002 inches) when thescrew 14 is gripped in the carrier 12. Desirably, this minimizes the“deformation” or “pre-stressing” of the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c in theassembled state and permits a substantially long on-the-shelf andstorage life for the dental implant kit 10. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with thecarrier fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c configured to apply less, more or noradial compressive force on the screw 14, as required or desired. Ofcourse, in the latter case of no radial compressive force, the fingers80 a, 80 b, 80 c will be substantially unflexed in the assembled stateof the dental implant kit 10. The resiliency of the fingers 80 a, 80 b,80 c permits insertion and removal of the screw 14 from the carrier 12.During the insertion of the screw 14 in the carrier 12, preferably viathe carrier posterior section 30, the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c initiallyflex generally radially outwards and receive the screw head 36 until thebulging finger bottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 c lock into the screw groove42 as the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c are resiliently displaced inwards.During the removal of the screw 14 from the carrier 12, preferably viathe carrier posterior section 30, again the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 cflex generally radially outwards with the bulging or projecting fingerbottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 c slipping out of the screw groove 42 as thefingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c are resiliently displaced inwards, hencereleasing the screw head 36, and allowing detachment of the screw 14from the carrier 12. Advantageously, the preferred generally bulbousshape of the finger bottom ends 86 a, 86 b, 86 c, provides a cammingaction, during removal (and insertion) of the screw 14 from the carrier12, that facilitates this same removal (and insertion).

In use, and referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 in particular, after thedental implant kit is typically removed from a sterile vial or packing(not shown) it is manually held via the carrier anterior section 26while the adhesive paper layer 22 is peeled off the carrier 12 and thehealing screw 20 is removed from the carrier 12. At this stage, thecarrier 12 is reliably and releasably holding the implant assembly,preferably, comprising the insertion tool screw 14, the insertion tool16, and the implant 18. The dental implant kit 10 is transported to thesurgical site with the carrier anterior section 26 being manually held.Since the fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c reliably grip the screw 14, theimplant 18 is prevented from coming loose from the dental implant kit10. While still manually holding the carrier anterior section 26, theimplant 18 is inserted into the osteotomy in the patient's jaw bone andby rotating the carrier anterior section 26 the implant is threaded intothe osteotomy. The carrier 12 may be used to drive the implant 18 fullyin the osteotomy, after which it is detached from the screw 14 bypulling and/or shaking it off the screw 14. During removal of thecarrier 12 from the screw 14 the carrier fingers 80 a, 80 b, 80 c flexin the manner that has been described herein above and permit therelease of the screw 14 from the carrier 12. The driving force forimplant insertion is transferred from the carrier 12 to the implant 18via the insertion tool 16 which is at its hexagonal upper portion 48locked in the carrier hexed cavity 68 and at its lower end substantiallyirrotationally mated with the implant 18 by means of the insertion toolhexagonal socket 52 and the implant hexagonal post 54. In some cases,after the implant 18 has been partially threaded into the osteotomy bythe carrier, additional torque not conveniently implemented by thecarrier 12 may be required. In this situation, the carrier 12 may bedetached from the screw 14 and a wrench (not shown), which engages thehex socket 44 of the screw 14, may be used to thread the implant 18further in the osteotomy until the implant 18 is properly seated in therequired position. Once the implant 18 has been positioned in theosteotomy and the carrier 12 removed from the screw 14, the screw 14 andthe insertion tool 16 are detached from the implant 18 and replaced bythe healing screw 20. The carrier 12, insertion tool screw 14 and theinsertion tool 16 are typically discarded at this stage.

The utility of the present invention will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The dental implant carrier of this inventionreliably permits a dental implant to be transported to an osteotomy byproviding flexible locking and gripping fingers which maintain theirresilience over substantial periods of on-the-shelf and storage time,thereby substantially enhancingly shielding the patient from thepotential hazards discussed herein before.

While the present invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in thespecific designs, constructions and methodology hereinabove describedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It isunderstood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments setforth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be defined onlyby a fair reading of the appended claims, including the full range ofequivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dental implant assembly, comprising: a dentalimplant comprising a threaded portion adapted to be received in anosteotomy and a threaded cavity; a screw comprising a head, a groove anda threaded portion threadably engaged with said threaded cavity of saiddental implant; and a carrier comprising a plurality of flexible fingershaving projecting portions engaged with said groove of said screw toreliably and releasably hold said dental implant.
 2. The dental implantassembly of claim 1, further comprising an insertion tool substantiallyirrotationally engaged with said carrier and said dental implant.
 3. Thedental implant assembly of claim 1, wherein said fingers are attached toan internal wall of said carrier.
 4. The dental implant assembly ofclaim 3, wherein said fingers are spaced from said internal wall of saidcarrier.
 5. The dental implant assembly of claim 1, wherein saidprojecting portions of said fingers mechanically lock into said screw.6. The dental implant assembly of claim 1, wherein said fingers gripsaid screw by applying a substantially radial compressive force.
 7. Thedental implant assembly of claim 1, wherein said fingers are fabricatedfrom a thermoforming plastic.
 8. The dental implant assembly of claim 1,wherein said fingers are molded into said carrier.
 9. The dental implantassembly of claim 1, wherein said fingers are substantiallyequidistantly and symmetrically spaced.
 10. The dental implant assemblyof claim 1, wherein said plurality of fingers comprises three fingers.11. The dental implant assembly of claim 1, wherein said groove of saidscrew is substantially circumferential.
 12. A dental implant kit,comprising: a carrier comprising a plurality of internal resilientfingers having projecting portions; an insertion tool adapted tosubstantially irrotationally engage said carrier and comprising asubstantially central cavity; a screw sized and configured to at leastpartially reside in said cavity of said insertion tool and comprising agroove adapted to engage said projecting portions of said fingers ofsaid carrier; an implant adapted to substantially irrotationally couplewith said insertion tool and comprising a threaded socket sized andconfigured to threadably engage said screw; whereby, said carrier canreliably and releasably hold said implant.
 13. The dental implant kit ofclaim 12, wherein said fingers are attached to and spaced from aninternal wall of said carrier.
 14. The dental implant kit of claim 12,wherein said fingers are adapted to mechanically lock into said screw.15. The dental implant kit of claim 12, wherein said fingers are adaptedto grip said screw by applying a substantially radial compressive force.16. The dental implant kit of claim 12, wherein said fingers arefabricated from a thermoplastic.
 17. The dental implant kit of claim 12,wherein said fingers are molded into said carrier.
 18. The dentalimplant kit of claim 12, wherein said fingers are substantiallyequidistantly and symmetrically spaced.
 19. The dental implant kit ofclaim 12, wherein said plurality of fingers comprises three fingers. 20.The dental implant kit of claim 12, wherein said groove of said screw issubstantially circumferential.
 21. A carrier for reliably and releasablyholding a dental implant, comprising: a substantially central cavityhaving an internal wall; and a plurality of flexible fingers disposedwithin said cavity, said fingers having top ends attached to said wallso that said fingers are slightly spaced from said wall, said fingershaving body portions which are generally curved and extend downwards,said fingers having bottom ends which bulge generally radially into saidcavity.
 22. The carrier of claim 21, wherein said fingers are adapted tomechanically lock into an insertion tool screw threadably engaged withsaid dental implant.
 23. The carrier of claim 22, wherein said insertiontool screw comprises a groove for engaging said fingers.
 24. The carrierof claim 23, wherein said groove is substantially circumferential. 25.The carrier of claim 21, wherein said fingers are adapted to grip aninsertion tool screw threadably engaged with said dental implant byapplying a substantially radial compressive force.
 26. The carrier ofclaim 25, wherein said insertion tool screw comprises a groove forengaging said fingers.
 27. The carrier of claim 26, wherein said grooveis substantially circumferential.
 28. The carrier of claim 21, whereinsaid fingers are fabricated from a thermoforming plastic.
 29. Thecarrier of claim 21, wherein said fingers are molded into said carrier.30. The carrier of claim 21, wherein said fingers are substantiallyequidistantly and symmetrically spaced.
 31. The carrier of claim 21,wherein said plurality of fingers comprises three fingers.
 32. A dentalimplant assembly, comprising the carrier of claim 21, an insertion tool,an insertion tool screw and an implant.
 33. A dental implant kit,comprising the carrier of claim 21, an insertion tool, an insertion toolscrew and an implant.
 34. A combination of a carrier and a dentalimplant, said carrier comprising a plurality of internal flexiblefingers for releasably capturing said dental implant, and said dentalimplant being releasably connected thereto.
 35. The combination of claim34, wherein said fingers are adapted to mechanically lock into aninsertion tool screw threadably engaged with said dental implant. 36.The combination of claim 35, wherein said insertion tool screw comprisesa groove for engaging said fingers.
 37. The combination of claim 36,wherein said groove is substantially circumferential.
 38. Thecombination of claim 34, wherein said fingers are adapted to grip aninsertion tool screw threadably engaged with said dental implant byapplying a substantially radial compressive force.
 39. The combinationof claim 38, wherein said insertion tool screw comprises a groove forengaging said fingers.
 40. The combination of claim 39, wherein saidgroove is substantially circumferential.
 41. The combination of claim34, wherein said fingers are fabricated from a thermoplastic.
 42. Thecombination of claim 34, wherein said fingers are molded into saidcarrier.
 43. The combination of claim 34, wherein said fingers aresubstantially equidistantly and symmetrically spaced.
 44. Thecombination of claim 34, wherein said plurality of fingers comprisesthree fingers.
 45. A dental implant assembly, comprising the combinationof claim 34, an insertion tool and an insertion tool screw.
 46. Thecombination of claim 34, further comprising an insertion tool and aninsertion tool screw.
 47. A carrier for a dental implant kit assembly,comprising: an anterior section being generally cylindrical in shape andhaving a substantially central cylindrical cavity, at least part of theouter surface of said carrier anterior section being either ridged,grooved or knurled to facilitate manual manipulation by providing agripping surface; a medial section being generally cylindrical in shapeand having a substantially central cylindrical cavity, said anteriorsection cavity and said medial section cavity being in communication, awall of said medial section cavity being disposed with a plurality offlexible fingers, said fingers being generally equidistantly andsymmetrically spaced relative to one another, top ends of saidrespective fingers being attached to said wall of said medial sectioncavity so that said respective fingers are slightly spaced from saidmedial section cavity wall, body portions of said respective fingersextending in a direction away from said anterior section, said bodyportions of said respective fingers being generally curved substantiallyparallely to said wall of said medial section cavity, bottom ends ofsaid fingers being generally thicker than said body portions of saidrespective fingers and bulging generally radially inwardly into saidmedial section cavity, said bottom ends of said respective fingers beingsized and shaped to engage a substantially circumferential groove formedon at least one portion of said dental implant kit/assembly, saidfingers mechanically locking into said groove; a posterior sectionhaving a lip adjacent to said carrier medial section and being generallytaperingly cylindrical in shape, said posterior section having an uppersubstantially central cylindrical cavity and a lower substantiallycentral hexagonal cavity, said posterior section upper cavity being incommunication with said medial section cavity, said posterior sectionlower hexagonal cavity being sized and shaped to substantiallyirrotationally engage an insertion tool of said dental implantkit/assembly; whereby, said carrier reliably and releasably facilitatestransfer of said dental implant to a surgical site, and insertion ofsaid dental implant into an osteotomy in a jaw bone.
 48. The carrier ofclaim 47, wherein said fingers are fabricated from nylon.
 49. Thecarrier of claim 47, wherein said fingers are fabricated from athermoplastic.
 50. The carrier of claim 47, wherein said fingers aremolded into said carrier.
 51. The carrier of claim 47, wherein saidplurality of fingers comprises three fingers.
 52. The carrier of claim47, wherein said groove is formed on an insertion tool screw of saiddental implant kit/assembly.
 53. A method of using a carrier for adental implant, comprising the steps of: holding said dental implant bymanually gripping an anterior section of said carrier; transporting saiddental implant to an osteotomy, said carrier having a plurality ofinternal flexible fingers to reliably and releasably engage a groove ofa screw threadably engaged with said dental implant; inserting saiddental implant in the osteotomy; rotating said carrier anterior sectionto thread said dental implant in the osteotomy until said dental implantis seated in the osteotomy; and removing said carrier from said screw,said fingers being flexed outwards during said step of removing.
 54. Amethod of delivering a dental implant to an osteotomy at a surgicalsite, comprising the steps of: holding said dental implant by gripping acarrier having a plurality of flexible fingers releasably engaged with ascrew threadably engaged with said dental implant; transporting saiddental implant to said osteotomy; inserting said dental implant in saidosteotomy; rotating said carrier to thread said dental implant in saidosteotomy until said dental implant is at least partially seated in saidosteotomy; and detaching said carrier from said dental implant bymanipulating said carrier to disengage said fingers from said screw.